Revived and Renewed

Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the LORD will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won't become weary. They will walk and won't grow tired. Isaiah 40:31 (God's Word Translation)

I had an interesting discussion with a classmate of mind on faith.  As I was listening to her describe what 'having faith' means to her, it became obvious to me that faith for her was telling God her request and waiting for Him to make it happen.  There was no regard for 'the will of God'.  It was all about 'the want of my classmate'.  Of course I did not totally agree with her.  I asked her one simply question.  "What happens when you tell God what you want and He doesn't do it?  Or better yet, He does something totally opposite of what you asked?  I went on to talk about what happens when He takes His time?  Do you then lose hope?  Turn your back on God?

There is a very specific hope that a Christian should possess.  This hope is an 'expecting' hope.  No matter what the situation you believe that God is going to work it out.  Go ahead and make your request.  Just no that ultimately you want God's will to be done.  There may be some detours in your life.  There may be some dry places along your path.  Those things don't matter.  Because you have placed your security, not in man but in God, you can rest peacefully knowing that the situation will work out for your good.  The past two weeks have been rough for me.  I have been overwhelmed with life.  I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)  I know that these are light and momentary afflictions. (II Cor. 4:16-18)  The biggest disappointment I had was that some of my obligations have been keeping me from writing, which is where I get my joy from.  Writing for me is my sanctuary.  I have still been able to give my time to God but there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done that I need to get done.  Sometimes I just want to throw my hands up in the air and give up.  But I can't.  So at this point what do I do? 

I look to the hills from whence cometh my help.  Where does my help come from?  Not the White House.  It comes from the Lord!  I will hope in the Lord.  It is not an option.  It is my only alternative.  It is the advantage I have over those who do not believe.  (Side Note:  You do know that you have an advantage.  It may appear that they are prospering.  That their lives are void of the problems you face on a regular basis.  Let me tell you that they are not.)  It still amazes me how the word can bring life to my dead circumstances. How hope in the Lord  brings about change.  I am revived!  Renewed!  My spirit which was down is now revived.  Once again I am strengthened to run on a little while longer to see what the end will be.  Instead of me looking at my bucket as half-empty, I now see it as half-full.  I could not have done this on my own.  But when I think about the goodness of Jesus....and all He has done for me...I can't help but trust Him.  Life can take its toll on you.  I am a giver.  I love to encourage others.  The sad part about this is that I cannot always depend on others to encourage me.  But I always receive encouragement from the Word.  When I spend time talking with my Heavenly Father, He gives me what I need to make it.  My attitude may have been bad.  I may have been feeling sorry for myself.  No more.  There is nobody but God who can bring about an attitude adjustment. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your Word and the privilege of prayer.  When life takes a turn and my spirit takes a nose dive, I am grateful that I have you as the source of my strength.  Things just don't always work out as I plan.  I may have to spend a little bit more time in a situation than I would like.  But Lord I thank you for the valleys and the mountaintops.  I thank you for those experiences that have grown me up.  I trust you Lord. Have your way in my life.  I submit to your will.  And I will forever give you all the glory, honor, and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Interruptions

I do not like to be interrupted.  When my mind is set on completing a task whether it be reading a book or writing a paper, watching a movie, eating dinner, I want to finish what I started.  Unfortunately this is not the way my life has been.  Instead there are times that I feel like my life is just one big interruption.  The minute I start down one path or make plans to do something new, life throws a curve ball.  Now normally I would have thrown a big tantrum and let every one around me know how unhappy I was.  But I have learned over time that an interruption is a setup for divine intervention.  It is at this moment that God shows up and reminds you that 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty (Zechariah 4:6)  I can do nothing by my own strength but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)  I had to learn that even though my short-term goals may say this and my long-term goals may say that, if it is not what God has planned for my life at that moment then get ready for an interruption. 

When I think of interruptions I am reminded of one of the most important moments in history.  You know the story.  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise,when his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,  before they came together she was found with child by the Holy Spirit.  (Matthew 1:18)  Talk about an interruption. Think about Mary sitting at home one day working on wedding details and all of a sudden she starts having morning sickness and her body starts changing.  She starts thinking.  "How am I going to be able to fit into my wedding dress?"  Then real panic kicks in.   Engaged to be married and then you have to go to your husband and say, "Oh by the way, I'm pregnant and the baby is not yours."  You may not have had anything as drastic happen in your life but I think that I can stand on firm ground saying that you have had some interruptions.  Maybe a child out of wedlock.  A sudden illness.  A divorce.  In-laws have to move in.  Child has to move  back home with your grandchildren.  None of these things planned. 

So how do you deal with interruptions?  What does the Bible have to say about situations like the ones listed above?  Above all else, TRUST GOD.  He has His hands on you.  Whatever the situation He will see you through and your life will be better.  I know that it doesn't seem like it right now.  You had plans.  But right now your plans don't matter.  You must learn to look at the big picture.  'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord.  Plans to prosper and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future'.  Mary and Joseph may have sat around thinking how are we going to deal with this.  Mary was probably embarrassed.  Joseph upset.  But they dealt with it.  They trusted God and stuck it out.  I can only imagine the bond that was created.  An even deeper bond than the one they had before.  I can hear Joseph saying, "Baby it was rough but I'm glad we are hear together.  Our love is stronger.  Now we know we can make it through anything."  You have to be the same way.  It is not about understanding everything.  (Say it again...aloud this time)  "It is not about understanding everything."  When God created the heavens, where were you?  He know what He is doing.  All you have to do is trust Him.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I must admit that I don't know what is going on right now.  Things were going so smoothly and now this.  But I am going to trust You Lord.  I know that you have plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future, so I am calling on You Lord.  I give You complete control.  Thank You for caring enough about me to order my steps and direct my path.  I will continue to give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.